Parking fees eliminated at six Clark County recreation sites

View full sizeWalkers enjoy the paved trail that connects Vancouver Lake and Frenchman's Bar regional parks on the west side of Vancouver. Those who drive to Frenchman's Bar no longer have to pay parking fees. Terry Richard/The Oregonian/2010

Clark County Commissioner David Madore fulfilled a campaign promise Tuesday night, eliminating parking fees at four county parks and two boat launch sites over bitter objections from 13 county residents and Commission Chairman Steve Stuart.

"Finally, we are doing something good for the community," said Madore. "We are restoring the free use of our parks."

Stuart said cutting the fees throws the $325,000 they normally generate annually back onto the general fund. In other words, he said, it makes all county taxpayers pay for park usage, rather than those who use the parks and boat launches.

"There is no such thing as free parks," he said. "There is no saving a dime with this. This will be paid with taxpayers' money."

After the commission action, there are no more fees, and the 623 persons who have purchased $40 annual parking passes can receive refunds by applying for one, commissioners said. They said parks officials will contact pass-holders.

Clark County operates 88 natural sites, including parks, natural areas and trails, said Public Works Director Pete Capell. Of those, he said, 24 have parking areas but only the six charge fees for parking.

Stuart said Madore and Mielke had planned since the commission's first discussion of the fees in February to eliminate them and were unmoved by any opposition.

"Where is the demand for this action?" he asked rhetorically. "What is the problem we are trying to solve?"

Madore and Mielke said they were aiming to open the sites for low-income people and to promote efficiency.

Stuart received backing from 13 of 14 members of the public who testified in a two-hour public hearing and wanted to keep the fees.

Opponents said the fees seemed minimal and that park costs should be borne primarily by users. They also argued that the fees allowed more taxpayer money to be used for other county needs like sheriff's officers. They suggested low-income folks could receive cut-rate passes. They found it hard to imagine the importance of these fees compared to dozens of other programs that remained unfunded while the county cut $62 million and 262 jobs from its budget in the past two years.

Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey, longtime Vancouver city and county park and trails guru Kelly Punteney, longtime county planning commission member John Caton and Clark County Sheriff's Chief Mike Evans also were among those joining Stuart in opposing the reduction in fees.

"The fees are reasonable," said Caton. "The fees are very good."

Evans said the $325,000 would be enough to hire 2 1/2 sheriff's deputies and provide better law enforcement in parks and elsewhere.

Seeing the fee cut coming, Stuart attempted to add four different amendments to the resolution to eliminate fees.

He suggested the commission defer the lost revenue until January 2014, when savings may be realized by renegotiating an agreement with the city over managing the 191 parks in the entire Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation district. But there was no second for his motion.

Stuart then tried to modify the resolution by keeping the fees on boat launches, where only financially able users are likely to bring boats, gasoline motors and fishing gear.

When there was no second, he suggested providing special passes to low-income users.

When there was no second to that motion, he moved to keep parking fees at Salmon Creek/Klineline Pond, where many users have the option of walking to the park. There was no second for that either.

"There is no willingness to satisfy the stated goal here," Stuart said.

Stuart said Madore and Mielke claimed they were trying to help low-income users but refused any efforts to aid them without completely cutting the fees.

But Madore said the parks are now open to everyone. "It is healthy to have an open dialogue even if we differ," he said. "As you get to know me, you will know that with me integrity and loyalty are non-negotiable."

Stuart snapped, "What you see from me is I judge people by their actions. Not by their words."